What’s new: Despite losing the top passer (Campoamor), rusher (Johnson) and receiver (Tate), Booth is optimistic that a young core — four freshmen started last season — will bring a good deal of playing experience into the spring. The Bulls took their share of lumps last season, averaging just 8.6 points a game and suffering four shutouts. Offensively, the Bulls are focusing on getting better in the red zone. Last season, Bloomingdale had 13 red-zone possessions that yielded zero points. “Who knows if that changes some of the outcomes, but if you score on 75 percent of those, it can turn the ball game around,” Booth said. The top returning rusher, Chris Herald, transferred to Durant, opening up a key spot in the backfield. A trio of offensive linemen have starting experience, three out of four defensive linemen return, and big things are expected from the secondary with rising juniors Brandon Gostowski, a strong safety, and TeShawn Mitchell, a cornerback.

Audible: “This spring is running so much smoother. Last year, introducing the X’s and O’s was tough. We had to be very vanilla with it just so we could be able to line up on the ball. So it’s neat to see the progress we’ve made and to see them hit the ground running. We’re so much better prepared this year that last.” — Booth on this spring, compared to 2009 when he had six weeks between his hiring and the beginning of spring ball.

Did you know? Kerr, the Bulls’ starting left tackle, owns a 5.6 grade points average and is receiving interest from Harvard heading into his senior year.